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Scleroderma

What is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease which primarily affects the skin and causes hardening and thickening of skin called as sclerosis.

Questions and answers on "Scleroderma"

It appears that my daughter in law has scleroderma - I say appears because her doctors have run a bunch of tests and are leaning towards scleroderma vs. Crohns. She has had Reynaud's for a while and has some skin thickening but around January she started complaining about severe stomach aches and now she is on TPN, her upper intestine is distended to 6" vs. 2.5" normal, she cannot tolerate any food and even has issues with clear liquids. Doctors have tried anti-biotic treatments etc. Is there a definitive best place to get treated for this version of scleroderma?

I have scleroderma(minor) with raynaud's phenomenon. My finger tips and toe tips get mildly swollen and hurt and turn red. Is this associatve? I have the usual color chanes cold/hot. This is something very new and it occurs with various digits at various times with some resolve on their own. No rash what so ever. Thank you.

MD

Hello,Thanks for the query.Even in Raynaud's phenomenon, the fingers turn white, blue and red.However usually there is no swelling.Scleroderma is associated with thickening but in progressive conditions there can be redness swelling and pain also.Now there can be two possibilities.1.The...

I have been diagnosed with scleroderma, the kind that is playing havoc with my XXXXXXX organs. I came here looking for others that have the same disease for support and there are none here. I am confused and scared and am in the process of trying to get my disability retirement because the fatigue and not eating right has taken a toll on me not to mention that I have a quadrapalegic for a husband, I was inititlly diagnosed last March and did not go to a Rhuematologist until this past December because I am the bread winner in my home and I could not afford to miss work, but I just cant go anymore.

MD

Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX Scleroderma is a rare condition propably of autoimmune in origin.Strictly speaking, scleroderma denotes disease limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissues is localized scleroderma, or morphea and disease involving the XXXXXXX organs is termed as "systemic...

I have recently been dx. with GAVE. I understand that scleroderma is associated with this dx. I have reviewed syptoms and think this may be a possibility. Should I just talk with my family doc? Or should I see a rheumatologist?
What is the treatment for scleroderma?

I have diffused scleroderma and the morphea is spreading extremely fast. I have it on just about every part of my body and now am getting it on my forehead and face. I am with Kaiser and can't seem to get a rrheumatologist that seems like they want to help. My blood work is positive but I have GERD and had to have my esophagus widened. and am going in again next week to get it widened again. In just two months my fingers have twisted and curled so bad that I can't make a fist or hold onto anything without hurting. Now the morphea is on the top on my ankle and is getting stiff and I am starting to have trouble walking. I just want to know if there is any medication or cream that I should be taking. I did have a biopsy done and it came back suggesting scleroderma. I just don't know which doctor I should ask about something to stop thr progerss, or if there is anything they can do. My rhuematologist doesn't know what to do with me. I need a specialist at Kaiser that familiar with scleroderma but don't know how to get one.

MD

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

As you might know Scleroderma is an disease associated with genetic alteration and autoimmune disease who's complete cure is nearly impossible.

The symptoms and progression of the disease can be controlled well and prevent the deformities due to Morphea.

i am suffering from MCTS, overlap of scleroderma and SLE, i am on 6 mg steroid, some time i am having extreme fatigue, before that i had hyperpigmented areas all over my face and inside my ear is black also i am not able to tolerate stress..is it adrenal insufficiency, I am a doctor myself

MD

Hi,

Welcome to HCM. I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.

I would like to know a few more things - Which steroid you are on? Have you done any blood tests like serum electrolytes or cortisol?

Two causes of adrenal insufficiency can be there in MCTS1. When you are on long...

for the past couple of weeks i have been experiencing tightness the mid section of my chest along with stabbing pain across my chest.. i had a catherization done and my heart was ruled out. they diagnosed me with copd and scleroderma. what can it be? i dont have any medical insurance now and am a bit worried.

MD

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. Since you are having COPD and scleroderma, following are the likely cause for your central chest tightness and stabbing pain. 1. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) 2. Worsening of COPD 3. Pulmonary hypertension...

52 year old male with COPDhiv neg mri negative dry mouth on left side of cheek and tongue for 4 months-ana test ordered by my ent doctor-results as follows-ana screen equivocal-antiscleroderma (Scl-70) interpretation equivocal-antiscleroderma test range is 0-100 AU/ml and mine was 110H-i have no symptoms of scleroderma-the dry mouth due to swelling of parotid gland is typical of sjogrens-i need some encouraging advice-i am told copd affects XXXXXXX test-is that right? my ent just dumped me off on a rheumatologist-im not convinced i have scleroderma-what do you think-also what do you think about the 2 equivocal results? please help! i want to redo XXXXXXX test and see a more experienced ent next week but this is hard on my nervous system not knowing

MD

Hi there.

Thanks for the query.

COPD itself can cause dry mouth due to the pursed lip breathing and constant water loss by water vapour evaporation from the mouth. But dry area only on one side of the inner cheek could be due to local pathology like trauma, mucosal lesions etc.

Hi,
I'm feeling really down about my future. I recently found out I had nucleolar pattern XXXXXXX (1:320). I think I've had XXXXXXX all my life, though usually they are 1:160. I'm a 30-year-old woman now.

My symptoms are:
Reynaud's (for 4-5 years now, on and off)
Puffy hands on and off
Sore tendons on and off
Burning hands and feet -- sometimes feels very hot
All over itchiness on and off, started with pregnancy though no liver probs
GERD and irritable bowel (clinically diagnosed)
Mild hypothyroidism
Occasinal red blood vessel spots on arms

My mother has Reynaud's and so does my aunt. It doesn't bother them too much. One aunt might have Sjorgen's, but she is mainly affected by Crohn's. All other relatives healthy.

I read about systemic scleroderma. Now I feel like I'm destined to get that and be very sick with it.

What should I do/think? I'm currently pregnant and am worried I won't have healthy time to spend with my child. Or at least not many years left.

MD

Hi,Thanks for the query.

With the current questions and thoughts in your mind your XXXXXXX of attaining motherhood is bypassed.

I strictly recommend you to keep the mind at ease and drive away the unsubstantial thoughts about Rheumatological problems that are an incident in your family.

Hello, I have recently finished double strengh amoxicillin for my chest as I have bronchiectasis. I also have RA, lupus and scleroderma. I have have had a sore tongue since the antibiotics it s down one side and catches my teeth. I feel so run down and poorly. Last night I had an awful sinus type migrane headache. I m also in a flare- up. Can you please help? Rosemary

I am 19 years old and have only had 2 periods because the doctor put me on hormones to make me start. I also am having symptoms of Raynauds with my fingers going numb and turning white when I get even the least bit cold. My grandmother has been diagnosed with scleroderma so I dont know if this is related. Also, lately I have been having episodes where I feel light headed, dizzy, shaky like I may pass out.

i had a monometry done not that long ago and was told that i have scleroderma of the esophagus. basically the muscles of my esophagus are not working. i throw up food days after i eat it and have digestive and esophogeal issues that wont disappear. i have lupus and crest syndrome. i was told by my doctor that i may have to have a feeding tube placed under the problem area of my esophagus or part of my esophagus removed. What is going on?

My mother has been diagnosed with scleroderma for more than 20 years now. She is around 57 year old. She suffers from various symptoms for the disease including skin tightening, problem in swallowing food dur to throat tightening, coughing, itching, acidity ectc (due to many medicines I belive). But the main problem currently is painful ulcer formations, which keeps on happening constantly in her legs and feet and hands and increases despite contact medications. She is located in Kolkata and has been receiving treatment from renowned rheumatologists. However, nobody has been able to provide any good solution for the problems (I understand the disease is not curable). But in international articles/journals I have read that ulcer formation is due to improve blood circulation and I wonder if there is any specific treatment for it that we are not aware of. Waiting eagerly for your response.

Sporatic joint pain that may last for hours or days all over my body...shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, all at the same time...especially elbows, hips, and knees...hips wake me up, or elbows if I am on my back. Temperature is about...

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